Means for seeding through a center pivot irrigation system

ABSTRACT

In this invention, a means is described for seeding through a self-propelled irrigation system. In one form of the invention, the seeds are metered into an auxiliary water line, supported on the main water line, and are sprinkled onto the ground by way of sequentially operated sprinklers. In another form of the invention, the seeds are metered directly into the main water line and are broadcast onto the ground by sequentially operated sprinklers.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation-in-part patent application of U.S. Ser. No.745,183 filed June 17, 1985, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,660,775 issued Apr. 28,1987.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Throughout history, seeds have been planted in many different ways.Perhaps the earliest method of seeding was the hand broadcasting of theseeds onto the ground. Another method of seeding in the past was to pokeor create openings in the ground with the seeds being dropped into theopenings and the ground then closed thereover. In recent years, seedssuch as corn, milo, wheat, barley, oats, etc. have been planted orseeded by the "drilling" or drill press method. In the drill pressmethod, the soil is normally first prepared by plowing or harrowing. Thedrill press is then used to plant the seeds in rows. A more recentvariation of the conventional drill press method is to plant the seedsin ground which has been "minimum tilled".

The primary disadvantages of the conventional drill press seeding methodare that it is time consuming and requires rather expensive equipment. Afurther disadvantage of the conventional drill press seeding method isthat the soil becomes compacted due to wheel tracks and the like. Stillanother disadvantage of the conventional drill press method of seedingis that the equipment cannot be used when the ground is wet. Yet anotherdisadvantage in the conventional drill press method is that one cropmust be harvested before another crop can be seeded.

In an effort to provide an improved method of seeding, attempts havebeen made to seed or plant through a center pivot irrigation system. Theuse of a center pivot irrigation system to plant or seed eliminates theneed for the equipment normally used to mechanically plant the field. Inthe February 1985 issue of the Deere and Co. publication entitled "TheFurrow", it was reported that a single span center-pivot irrigationsystem had been used to plant corn some time during 1984 at theUniversity of Georgia Coastal Plain Experimental Station in Tifton, Ga.The experiments at the University of Georgia experimental station atTifton were also reported in the May 1985 issue of "Irrigation Age". Inan article entitled "Far-Out Farming" in the Apr. 11, 1985 issue of"Machine Design", a suggestion was made that an irrigation rig couldtill, plant, irrigate and apply chemicals while unattended.

A problem associated with seeding through a center-pivot irrigationsystem which apparently has not been previously addressed is achievinguniform seed distribution. Inasmuch as a center-pivot irrigation systemtravels around a center-pivot, some method or means must be devised toensure that the outer portions of the irrigation system, which arecovering greater areas than the inner portions of the system, will applythe seeds at the same rate/acre as the inner portions of the system. Afurther problem associated with seeding through an irrigation system isefficiently conveying the seeds to the sprinklers on the system. Afurther complication is the fact that different types of seed areheavier than other types of seeds. A further consideration in seedingthrough an irrigation system is to prevent damage to the seed as it isbeing delivered to the sprinklers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A means for seeding or planting through a self-propelled irrigationsystem is disclosed. The irrigation system is comprised of a primarywater supply pipe which is supported on and moved by a plurality ofspaced-apart drive towers. The The water supply pipe is in communicationwith a source of water under pressure so that the sprinklers on thewater supply pipe may sprinkle irrigating water onto the ground beneaththe system as the system is moved over a predetermined area. The meansfor seeding through the irrigation system comprises a water tank whichis imposed between the source of water under pressure and an auxiliarywater line mounted on the system. A plurality of spaced-apart sprinklersare mounted on the auxiliary water line and are controlled bysequentially operated valves fluidly connected thereto. In one form ofthe invention, a metering plate meters the seeds from a seed hopper intothe water tank so that the seeds will be supplied to the sprinklers onthe auxiliary water line. In another form of the invention, a screwconveyor meters the seeds from the seed hopper to the sprinklers on theauxiliary water line. In still another form of the invention, the seedsare pumped directly through the primary water supply line tosequentially operate sprinklers.

It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide a meanswhereby seeds are broadcasted on the ground by means of a conventionalcenter-pivot irrigation system.

A further object of the invention is to provide a means for seedingthrough an irrigation system which permits a second crop to be seededprior to the first crop being harvested.

A further object of the invention is to provide a means for seedingwhich prevents soil compaction and which enables the seeding operationto be accomplished even though the field is too wet to permit a tractorto enter thereon.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a means for seedingthrough a self-propelled irrigation system which eliminates the need forcostly conventional planters and tractors.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a means for seedingthrough a self-propelled irrigation system which enables the seeds to bebroadcast onto the ground without the need for soil preparation.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a means for seedingthrough a self-propelled irrigation system wherein the seeds aresubstantially uniformly deposited onto the ground.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a means for seedingthrough a self-propelled irrigation system without damaging the seeds.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a means formodifying a conventional self-propelled irrigation system to enable thesystem to plant crops without expensive modification of the existingsystem.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a method of plantingseeds by means of a center-pivot irrigation system wherein thesprinklers thereon are sequentially controlled so that substantialuniform seed distribution is achieved.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a means for seedingthrough a self-propelled irrigation system which is reliable.

These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of that part of the invention herein whichis located at the center-pivot of the irrigation system:

FIG. 2 is a partial side view of the system of this invention:

FIG. 3 is a partial top view of the system of this invention:

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the seed hopper and injection means withportions thereof cut away to more fully illustrate the invention:

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the seed hopper and injectionmeans of FIG. 4:

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the seed hopper and injection means ofFIG. 4 and at a 90° angle to that illustrated in FIG. 5:

FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view seen on lines 7--7 of FIG. 6 withthe straight arrows indicating the flow path of the water and seeds andthe arcuate arrows indicating the vortex action created within the seedtube:

FIG. 8 is a partial side view of one of the sprinklers mounted on theauxiliary water line:

FIG. 9 is a sectional view seen on lines 9--9 of FIG. 8:

FIG. 10 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 4 but which illustrates amodified form of the injection means:

FIG. 11 is a partial side view similar to FIG. 2 but which illustrates amodified form of the invention:

FIG. 12 is a partial top view of the embodiment of FIG. 11.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the numeral 10 refers to a typical center pivotirrigation system including a main water supply pipe 12 comprised of aplurality of pipe sections 14 joined together and supported by aplurality of drive towers 16. Pipe 12 extends outwardly from a centerpivot structure 17 including pipe 18 which is connected to a well orwater supply 20 or the like by pipe 19 as depicted in FIG. 1. Engine 22operates pump 24 to supply water from the well 20 to the interior of thepipes 18, 19 and 12. A plurality of spaced-apart sprinklers 26 areprovided on the pipe 12 for sprinkling irrigating water onto the ground28. The drive towers 16 are propelled in conventional fashion so thatthe system revolves around the center pivot structure 17 to furnishirrigating water to the ground 28.

An auxiliary water line or pipe 30 is supported on the water supply pipe12 and extends the length thereof. A plurality of tee-connections 32 areimposed in the auxiliary water line 30 as best seen in FIG. 8. Each ofthe connections 32 has a pipe 34 extending upwardly therefrom. Aremotely operated valve 36 is mounted in the line 34 and has a sprinkler38 extending upwardly therefrom. The valves 36 are electricallyconnected to a programmable controller to enable the sequentialoperation of the sprinklers 38 as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,901,442.A water filter 33 and solenoid valve 35 are also provided as seen inFIG. 8.

The inner end of auxiliary line 30 is connected by means of a quickcoupler 39 to a water line 40 extending from pump 42 which is driven byengine 44. The inlet end of pump 42 is connected to a water tank 46 bymeans of hose 47 as will be described in more detail hereinafter. Waterline 48 extends from line 19 and has a hydraulically operated valve 52imposed therein.

A horizontally extending pipe 58 is positioned in tank 46 which is influid communication with the lower end of a tube 60. Pipe 58 isconnected to hose 47 by means of coupler 59. Tube 60 is substantiallyfunnel-shaped comprised of four flat sides 62, 64, 66 and 68. Each ofthe sides 62, 64, 66 and 68 is provided with an opening 70 formedtherein which is offset from the central vertical axis of the tube 60for a purpose to be described in more detail hereinafter. The lower endof tube 60 is provided with an inlet opening 72 which is adjustablyselectively closed by an adjustable slide gate valve 74 to control theamount of water entering the lower end of tube 60.

Float valve assembly 75 is mounted in the interior of the tank 46 forcontrolling the operation of the hydraulically operated valve 52 tocontrol the supply of water to the interior of the tank 46.

The numeral 76 refers to a seed hopper adapted to contain the seeds tobe planted and which is positioned over the tank 46 and the tube 60 asillustrated in the drawings. The lower end of hopper 76 includes adischarge portion 78 having a seed metering plate means 80 rotatablymounted in the lower end thereof. Metering plate means 80 has a sprocket82 connected thereto which is driven by a selectively adjustable gearmotor assembly 84 through chain 85. The volume of seeds passing from thelower end of the hopper 76 into the tube 60 will depend upon theconfiguration of the metering plate 80 and the gearing of the sprocket82 and/or the speed of gear motor 84.

When it is desired to plant seeds through the irrigation system, thedrive towers 16 are conventionally operated to propel the system aroundthe center pivot. The sprinklers 26 are preferably operated during theseeding operation. Engine 22 is operated so that water is pumped frompump 24 into the line 48 and into the interior of the tank 46 throughthe valve 52. Float valve 76 maintains the desired level of water withinthe tank 46 to prevent the overflow of the tank. Pump 42 is operated bymeans of the motor 44 which draws the water outwardly from the tank 46through the pipe 58. The water in the tank passes into the pipe 58through the opening 72 and from the tube 60 due to the fact that watercan enter the tube 60 through the offset openings 70. The offsetopenings 70 cause the water to swirl within the tube 60, as illustratedin Figure 7, so as to create a vortex action therein so that the seedsdropping into the tube 60 from the metering 80 will pass downwardly intothe intake end of pipe 58. As previously stated, the metering plate 80is rotated by means of the gear motor 84 so that the proper amount ofseeds are dropped into the tube 60. The seeds are suspended in the waterand pass through the auxiliary line 30 for discharge through thesprinklers 38. The sprinklers 38 are sequentially operated, as the drivetowers 16 propel the system over the area to be planted, so that theseeds are substantially uniformly distributed over the area beingplanted. The sequential operation of the sprinklers 38 is necessarysince additional seeds must be sprinkled onto the ground at the outerend of the system due to the greater area being covered at the outer endof the system. When the seeding operation has been completed, the seedscan be periodically watered by the irrigation system itself.

Although the embodiment just described is the preferred embodiment, theseeds may be planted through the main water supply pipe 12 such asillustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 by connecting the hose 40' to the pipe 18so that the seeds suspended in water and passing from the injectionmeans will enter the interior of the main water supply pipe 12 ratherthan an auxiliary line. In such an embodiment, remotely controlledsprinklers 38' are mounted on the pipe 12 along the length thereof andare operated by a programmable controller to control the sequentialoperation thereof. Although the system illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 isalso shown to include small sprinkler heads 26, such may be shut offwhile seeding or may not be required.

Although the injection system previously described and as bestillustrated in FIG. 4 is the preferred injection system, the meteringplate 80 and the gear motor for operating the same may be replaced by ascrew auger conveyor 86 which has its inlet end connected to the lowerend of the hopper 76 and its discharge end 88 positioned over the tube60 as best illustrated in FIG. 10. Screw auger conveyor 86 is controlledby a variable speed gear motor 90 so that the proper amount of seed isfed to the upper end of the tube 60. As seen in FIG. 10, in such aninjection system, the water tank 46 may be positioned laterally of thehopper 76.

The invention herein permits seeds to be planted through aself-propelled irrigation system without the necessity of requiringlarge equipment to plant the crop thereby eliminating costly labor andequipment expense. Inasmuch as the crop may be planted through theirrigation system, soil compaction is prevented. Perhaps the greatestadvantage to the system described herein is that it permits "doublecropping" or "intercropping". In other words, a second crop may beplanted through the system before the first crop, which had beenpreviously planted, has been harvested. The ability to plant the secondcrop before harvesting the first crop enables the second crop to beplanted much earlier.

Although the means described herein is the preferred embodiment and isideally suited for use with a center-pivot irrigation system, the meansof this invention may also be used in combination with a linear moveirrigation system.

Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of itsstated objectives.

We claim:
 1. In combination,a self-propelled irrigation systemcomprising a primary water supply pipe supported by a plurality ofspaced-apart drive towers adapted to move said primary water supply pipeover a predetermined area, said primary water supply pipe being inoperative communication with a source of water, a plurality ofspaced-apart first sprinklers on said primary water supply pipe forsprinkling water on said predetermined area as said primary water supplypipe is moved thereover, means for pumping water through said primarywater supply pipe to said first sprinklers, an auxiliary water linemeans supported on said irrigation system and being in operativecommunication with a source of water under pressure, means for pumpingwater through said auxiliary water line means, said auxiliary water linemeans extending for substantially the entire length of said primarywater supply pipe, a plurality of spaced-apart second sprinklers on saidauxiliary water line means for sprinkling the water in said auxiliarywater line means on said predetermined area as said primary water supplypipe and said auxiliary water line means are moved over saidpredetermined area, an actuator means operatively connected to each ofsaid second sprinklers for actuating said second sprinklers at times, aseed supply means adapted to supply seeds to be planted, metering meansin operative communication with said seed supply means and saidauxiliary water line means for metering seeds from said seed supplymeans, at a predetermined rate, into the water passing through saidauxiliary water line means whereby the seeds will be conveyed to saidsecond sprinklers, and control means operatively connected to saidactuator means for selectively controlling said actuator means wherebythe said second sprinklers will be selectively operated to sprinklewater and seeds therefrom, to achieve substantially uniform seeddistribution on said predetermined area along the length of saidauxiliary water line means as said primary water supply pipe and saidauxiliary water line means are moved over said predetermined area. 2.The combination of claim 1 wherein said self-propelled irrigation systemis of the center-pivot type and wherein said primary water supply pipeextends outwardly from a center-pivot.
 3. The combination of claim 1wherein said metering means includes a water tank means adapted toreceive seeds from said seed supply means, said water tank meanscomprising a bottom wall with upstanding side walls, a verticallydisposed hollow tube means positioned in said water tank means andhaving an open upper end which is in communication with said meteringmeans so that the seeds are delivered to the interior of said tubemeans, said water tank means having a water inlet means in communicationwith a source of water under pressure whereby water will be supplied tothe interior of said tank means, means for controlling the level ofwater in said water tank means, said tube means being in fluidcommunication with the water in said tank means, said tube means alsobeing in fluid communication with said auxiliary water line meanswhereby said seeds delivered to said tube means will be supplied to saidsprinklers on said auxiliary water line means.
 4. The combination ofclaim 3 wherein said metering means is positioned below said seed supplymeans and above said tube means.
 5. The combination of claim 3 whereinsaid metering means comprises a screw auger conveyor means having aninlet end and a discharge end, said inlet end being in operativecommunication with said seed supply means, said discharge end being inoperative communication with the upper end of said tube means.
 6. Thecombination of claim 5 wherein said screw auger conveyor means ispowered by a variable speed motor.
 7. The combination of claim 1 whereinsaid first sprinklers on said primary water supply pipe may be operatedindependently of said second sprinklers on said auxiliary water linemeans.
 8. The combination of claim 1 wherein said self-propelledirrigation system is a linear-move irrigation system.
 9. The combinationof claim 1 wherein said actuator means is electrically controlled andwherein said means for controlling the operation of said actuator meanscomprises a programmable controller means for sequencing said secondsprinklers on said auxiliary water line means.
 10. In combination,aself-propelled irrigation system comprising a primary water supply pipesupported by a plurality of spaced-apart drive towers adapted to movesaid primary water supply pipe over a predetermined area, said primarywater supply pipe being in operative communication with a source ofwater, a plurality of spaced-apart first sprinklers on said primarywater supply pipe for sprinkling water on said predetermined area assaid primary water supply pipe is moved thereover, means for pumpingwater through said primary water supply pipe to said first sprinklers,an actuator means operatively connected to each of said firstsprinklers, a seed supply means adapted to supply seeds to be planted,metering means in operative communication with said seed supply meansand said primary water supply pipe for metering seeds from said seedsupply means, at a predetermined rate, into the water passing throughsaid primary water supply pipe whereby the seeds to be planted will beconveyed to said first sprinklers, and control means operativelyconnected to said actuator means for selectively controlling saidactuator means whereby said first sprinklers will be selectivelyoperated to sprinkle water and seeds therefrom, as said primary watersupply pipe is moved over said predetermined area, to achievesubstantially uniform seed distribution on said predetermined area alongthe length of said primary water supply pipe.
 11. The combination ofclaim 10 wherein said self-propelled irrigation system is of thecenter-pivot type wherein said primary water supply pipe extendsradially outwardly from a center-pivot point.
 12. The combination ofclaim 10 wherein said means for controlling said sprinklers on saidauxiliary water line means comprises a sequencing means for selectivelyoperating each of said sprinklers for a predetermined length of time.13. The combination of claim 10 wherein said metering means includes awater tank means adapted to receive seeds from said seed supply means,said water tank means comprising a bottom wall with upstanding sidewalls, a vertically disposed hollow tube means positioned in said watertank means having an open upper end which is in communication with saidmetering means so that the seeds are delivered to the interior of saidtube means, said water tank means having a water inlet means incommunication with a source of water under pressure whereby water willbe supplied to the interior of said tank means, means for controllingthe level of water in said water tank means, said tube means being influid communication with the water in said tank means, said tube meansalso being in fluid communication with said auxiliary water line meanswhereby said seeds delivered to said tube means will be supplied to saidsprinklers on said auxiliary water line means.
 14. The combination ofclaim 13 wherein said metering means including a screw auger conveyormeans having an inlet end and a discharge end, said inlet end being inoperative communication with said seed supply means, said discharge endbeing in operative communication with the upper end of said tube means.15. The combination of claim 14 wherein said screw auger conveyor meansis powered by a variable speed motor.
 16. The combination of claim 10wherein said self-propelled irrigation system is a linear-moveirrigation system.
 17. A self-propelled irrigation system comprising,aprimary water supply pipe supported by a plurality of spaced-apart drivetowers adapted to move said primary water supply pipe over apredetermined area, said primary water supply pipe being in operativecommunication with a source of water, a plurality of spaced-apart firstsprinklers on said primary water supply pipe for sprinkling water onsaid predetermined area as said primary water supply pipe is movedthereover, means for pumping water through said primary water supplypipe to said first sprinklers, an auxiliary water line means supportedon said irrigation system and being in operative communication with asource of water under pressure, means for pumping water through saidauxiliary water line means, said auxiliary water line means extendingfor substantially the entire length of said primary water supply pipe, aplurality of spaced-apart second sprinklers on said auxiliary water linemeans for sprinkling the water in said auxiliary water line means onsaid predetermined area as said primary water supply pipe and saidauxiliary water line means are moved over said predetermined area, anactuator means operatively connected to each of said second sprinklersfor actuating said second sprinklers at times, a seed supply meansadapted to supply seeds to be planted, metering means in operativecommunication with said seed supply means and said auxiliary water linemeans for metering seeds from said seed supply means, at a predeterminedrate, into the water passing through said auxiliary water line meanswhereby the seeds will be conveyed to said second sprinklers, andcontrol means operatively connected to said actuator means forselectively controlling said actuator means whereby the said secondsprinklers will be selectively operated to sprinkle water and seedstherefrom, to achieve substantially uniform seed distribution on saidpredetermined area along the length of said auxiliary water line meansas said primary water supply pipe and said auxiliary water line meansare moved over said predetermined area, said metering means including awater tank means adapted to receive seeds from said seed supply means,said water tank means comprising a bottom wall with upstanding sidewalls, a vertically disposed hollow tube means positioned in said watertank means and having an open upper end which is in communication withsaid metering means so that the seeds are delivered to the interior ofsaid tube means, said water tank means having a water inlet means incommunication with a source of water under pressure whereby water willbe supplied to the interior of said tank means, means for controllingthe level of water in said water tank means, said tube means being influid communication with the water in said tank means, said tube meansalso being in fluid communication with said auxiliary water line meanswhereby said seeds delivered to said tube means will be supplied to saidsprinklers on said auxiliary water line means, said tube means havingopenings formed therein below its upper end in communication with thewater in said water tank means so that water in said water tank meansmay enter said tube means.
 18. The combination of claim 17 wherein saidopenings are offset from the longitudinal axis of said tube means tocreate a vortex effect in said tube means.
 19. In combination,aself-propelled irrigation system comprising a primary water supply pipesupported by a plurality of spaced-apart drive towers adapted to movesaid primary water supply pipe over a predetermined area, said primarywater supply pipe being in operative communication with a source ofwater, a plurality of spaced-apart first sprinklers on said primarywater supply pipe for sprinkling water on said predetermined area assaid primary water supply pipe is moved thereover, means for pumpingwater through said primary water supply pipe to said first sprinklers,an actuator means operatively connected to each of said firstsprinklers, a seed supply means adapted to supply seeds to be planted,metering means in operative communication with said seed supply meansand said primary water supply pipe for metering seeds from said seedsupply means, at a predetermined rate, into the water passing throughsaid primary water supply pipe whereby the seeds to be planted will beconveyed to said first sprinklers, and control means operativelyconnected to said actuator means for selectively controlling saidactuator means whereby said first sprinklers will be selectivelyoperated to sprinkle water and seeds therefrom, as said primary watersupply pipe is moved over said predetermined area, to achievesubstantially uniform seed distribution on said predetermined area alongthe length of said primary water supply pipe, said metering meansincluding a water tank means adapted to receive seeds from said seedsupply means, said water tank means comprising a bottom wall withupstanding side walls, a vertically disposed hollow tube meanspositioned in said water tank means and having an open upper end whichis in communication with said metering means so that the seeds aredelivered to the interior of said tube means, said water tank meanshaving a water inlet means in communication with a source of water underpressure whereby water will be supplied to the interior of said tankmeans, means for controlling the level of water in said water tankmeans, said tube means being in fluid communication with the water insaid tank means, said tube means also being in fluid communication withsaid auxiliary water line means whereby said seeds delivered to saidtube means will be supplied to said sprinklers on said auxiliary waterline means, said tube means having openings formed therein below itsupper end in communication with the water in said water tank means sothat water in said water tank means may enter said tube means, saidwater supply pipe being in communication with said tube means below saidopenings.
 20. The combination of claim 19 wherein said openings areoffset from the longitudinal axis of said tube means to create a vortexeffect in said tube means.